Anti-Bullying Day (a.k.a. Pink Shirt day) is a day celebrated on various dates across the world, originating in Canada. In 2012, the United Nations declared the official day as May 4 and is recognized by over 25 countries worldwide, such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. On this day, those who participate wear pink, blue, or purple shirts (depending on location) to symbolize a stand against bullying.

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The original event was organized by David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia, who in 2007 bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after male ninth grade student Charles McNeill was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school.[1] In Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia PremierRodney MacDonald proclaimed the second Thursday of September "Stand Up Against Bullying Day" in recognition of these events.[2]

In 2008, the then Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed February 27 to be the provincial anti-bullying day.[3] It was then celebrated on February 25 in 2009. In 2009, Boys and Girls Clubs worked on pink T-shirts that say "Bullying Stops Here." and "Pink Shirt Day" for Anti-Bullying Day.[4]

In 2012, The United Nations took a stand in the Anti-Bullying campaign and declared May 4 as Anti-Bullying Day.[5]

Anti-Bullying Day was instituted to prevent further bullying. The United States Department of Justice showed that one out of four kids will be bullied during their adolescence.[6] Most of the time it continues after the first incident; statistics show that 71 percent of students that are bullied, keep being bullied making it a problem with no end. According to the Yale School of Medicine, a study in 2010 discovered a connection between being bullied and suicide. The term to describe this is “Bullycide” where someone who is bullied commits suicide as a result. Suicide rates continue to grow among children and adolescents more than 50 percent in the last 30 years.[7]

Anti-bullying Day activities can be held at schools, work places, or any acceptable location include: “abolishing bulling” rallies, information and networking booths to help the community in understanding how bad bullying can be, and what organizations are out there. Examples include Tune it Out,[8] Blue Shirt World Day of Bullying Prevention, National Bullying awareness month, as well as, Pink Shirt Day. Other actives include handouts, resources, and information created to promote the message of the “National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.” Examples of other activities include a race, conferences, video creating competitions such as the, ‘ScreenIt!’ and the, ‘Back me up’, competition, and community events all are used to spread awareness of bullying and violence.